![Naga Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, wait during a procession before taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar Naga Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, wait during a procession before taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t071043z_1773268658_gf100002.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Staff
![India Kumbh Mela India Kumbh Mela](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ef2db6ee3d96403cbcaf5340727e80f1-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![TRIMBAK, NASIK, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2015/08/27: Naga sadhu from Atal Akhada join the Royal Procession in Trimbak. The Peshwai marks the arrival of the members of an Akhara or sect of sadhus, at the Maha Kumbh Mela venue. Thousands of members of Akhara, including ash-smeared Naga sadhus who are bare-bodied and others who are clad in saffron robes, led the procession. The procession, includes dozens of beautifully decorated horses, elephants and musical bands playing devotional tunes, as it commenced in Trimbak City . (Photo by Akshay Gupta/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gettyimages-486730822.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Naga Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, wait during a procession before taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar Naga Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, wait during a procession before taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t071043z_1773268658_gf100002.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Kumbh Mela Hindhu Festival in Nasik Kumbh Mela Hindhu Festival in Nasik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/04902567.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Kumbh Mela in Nasik Kumbh Mela in Nasik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/04903861.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Kumbh Mela In Nashik Kumbh Mela In Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gettyimages-488041924.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Nashik Kumbh Mela 2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gettyimages-485719370.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A sadhu or a Hindu holy man comes out of the waters of Godavari river after taking a dip during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik A sadhu or a Hindu holy man comes out of the waters of Godavari river after taking a dip during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t071740z_1020253505_gf100002.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A Sadhu or a Hindu holy man prepares to take a dip in the Godavari river during the first "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Nashik A Sadhu or a Hindu holy man prepares to take a dip in the Godavari river during the first "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-08-29t071105z_2021545212_gf100001.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Kumbh Mela Hindhu Festival in Nasik Kumbh Mela Hindhu Festival in Nasik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/04902555.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, gives blessings after taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, gives blessings after taking a dip in a holy pond during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath) at "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in Trimbakeshwar](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t071050z_988983846_gf1000020.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Kumbh Mela In Nashik Kumbh Mela In Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gettyimages-488042048.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Devotees attend the second Shahi Snan on the banks of Godavari river at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Nashik Devotees attend the second Shahi Snan on the banks of Godavari river at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t145634z_51212607_gf10000204.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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![Hindu devotees pray on the banks of Godavari river during "Kumbh Mela" or the Pitcher Festival in Nashik Hindu devotees pray on the banks of Godavari river during "Kumbh Mela" or the Pitcher Festival in Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-08-28t072325z_975267886_gf1000018.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Policewoman stands guard as Hindu devotees take a dip in the waters of Godavari river during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik Policewoman stands guard as Hindu devotees take a dip in the waters of Godavari river during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-13t071739z_1677217234_gf100002.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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